This site is based on my daily practice of traditional Shotokan Karate-Do here in Oita City, Japan. More than anything else, unlike the majority of other karate-do websites, this page is primarily dedicated to training itself; that is, Karate-Do as a vehicle for holistic development.

Saturday, 1 February 2014

New self-training regime

In two days time Mizuho and I've been back in Japan for six months! How time fly's... Anyway, Here is my new training self-regime, which I began very recently (in my
recovery from influenza). I suspect this self-training schedule will be used for a while, especially in regards to the sentei-gata.

Kata: As alluded to above, at present
the majority of my kata practice has been dedicated to the four sentei-gata: Bassai dai (披塞大), Jion (慈恩), Enpi (燕飛) and Kanku dai (観空大);
and an unspecified/random mix of jiyu-gata. In regards to jiyu-gata, my
interests remain focused on Nijushiho
(二十四步) and also Bassai
sho (披塞小); nevertheless, Kanku
sho (観空小) and Unsu (雲手) have also been slipping in and out of my practice
sessions.

Kumite: Uchikomi
and image training:(1) focusing on various forms of
gyaku-zuki (employing sen no no, go no sen etc); (2) tai sabaki with a variety of techniques; and (3) deai-waza. In all cases, seeking
`ippon technique’.

Overall, my
repetitions (and intensity) of techniques, and kata, have been highly variable.
This is directly attributable to the recovery process from the flu. On a
positive note, this has allowed me to be more introspective and will,
hopefully, allow me to `further mitigate' my many weaknesses.

Irrespective of all my shortcomings in karate-do, my goal is to simply
keep moving forward and developing my spirit. I wish everyone who reads this the very best and good health. Oss, André.

About Me

My name is Andre Bertel. I am a New Zealand born karateka who lives in Oita City (Oita Prefecture, Japan). I've practiced the Shotokan style for many years, spending much time here in Japan, seeking to improve my skills and understanding of authentic Karate-Do. I was a student of the late Asai Tetsuhiko Sensei. While I may never reach a high level in Karate-Do, I endeavour to do my best via daily training. Furthermore, I believe in promoting the true 'traditional Budo Karate' of Japan, which has and continues to be seriously undermined worldwide: especially in the West.
I am in deep gratitude for the wonderful friendships I have made worldwide, as an instructor, and as an ongoing student of Karate-Do. Overall, Karate-Do has been my way of life, and is something I live everyday.